The following refers to the article “Driveway Limit Passes in Mineola” in the June 25-July 1, 2014 Mineola American as reported by Rich Forestano.
The first sentense states: “The Village of Mineola recently passed a local law limiting driveways to 25 percent of the front yard of residential properties.”
I have read this newspaper and The Williston Times every week for a long time and this is the first I know of it. It continues: “According to the law, there can only be one driveway per residence and it prohibits the construction of circular driveways.”
A circular driveway does have an entrance and an exit. Exiting a circular driveway is definitely easier and safer going forward than backing out into a traffic lane.
Did the People of Mineola vote this into law or was it merely enacted by the mayor and trustees? Referendums override legislature.
Everything prior to this law is said to be legal including circular driveways.
“We’re looking to preserve the residential character of the village, Mayor Strauss said.” It is and has been the residential character of Mineola and what is unresidential about a circular driveway?
Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira then insinuated that there has been unclear air, confusion and tension between residents and neighbors. News to me!
From what I have noticed, ‘to each their own’ is what makes the People of Mineola happy: Making the best use of what they have to suit their needs. Who can argue with that?
Village counsel John Gibbons then in fact made the law null and void by stating that residents can always ask for a variance from the zoning code.
Mr. Gibbons then continues in a lengthy and confusing manner about paperwork needing to be filed before the adoption of the law (whenever that is/was,?)
And to the effect that if that is not done, what a resident has that has all along been part of the residential character of Mineola will have to be destroyed.
Every time I see the term ‘curb cut’ it hits me as if it is some kind of a quip.
What is intended is curb recess, a depression or alteration to accommodate vehicles and wheel chairs and not curb their access.
Also shopping carts and whatever with wheels. These days many wheel chairs are motor vevicles too. I have yet to see a wheel chair with a cab for inclement weather.
Who knows when. As per the above, intent overrides wording.
It is interesting that the word cut takes up one third of a dictionary page. That does not include a long list of others such as cut-up, cut-out, cut-in and take a cut.
So as not to take up (not to be confused with take-up) more space I will call it a day with this, whatever that means.
Charles Samek
Mineola
